MEES Compliance in Manchester: Guide for Commercial Properties (2025)

The discussion around the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) for Commercial EPCs in Manchester is back on the table. Landlords need to ensure their properties meet the Band E current minimum with this expected to rise to Band C by 2028. In Manchester's competitive commercial property market, it's important you secure your investment and make sure that your property meets these regulations. Below you'll find an comprehensive review of MEES, why they matter and actionable steps for commercial property owners in Manchester.

What Does MEES Mean For Your Manchester Commercial EPC?

As of April 2023, all commercial leases need to be a minimum of a Band E on the EPC. Any building that doesn't achieve this grade cannot be legally let. This applies to all tenancies, even those agreed before this cut off.

Manchester City Council have the authority to issue penalties for non compliance of these minimum commercial rental standards. Fines can be imposed for current breaches or violations within the last 12 months. Here’s how the penalties break down:

Breaches lasting less than 3 months:

• Minimum of £5,000
• Maximum of £50,000

Beaches lasting over three months:

• Minimum £10,000
• Maximum £150,000

For failing to comply with a compliance notice or registering a fraudulent exemption, an additional fine of £5,000 could be added too.

Key MEES Requirements for Manchester's Commercial Properties

The Commercial EPC evaluates your property against a scale of Band A (highest) to Band G (lowest). The current MEES requirement is a Band E, soon to be adjusted to a Band C, which is forecasted for 2028.

Almost all leased properties in Manchester need a Commercial EPC. There are a couple of exceptions:

• Leases less than 6 months or more than 99 Years,
• Buildings due to be demolished,
• Temporary structures with a planned use of less than 2 years,
• Low energy buildings, like an agricultural barn.

Then on top of these exceptions there are also exemptions to the the Manchester commercial energy standards in certain circumstances. Property owners will likely need to spend at least some money upgrading their properties but exemptions can be granted if

• An upgrade does not meet the 7 year pay back criteria.
• An upgrade will reduce the value of your building by more than 5%.
• You have made all the recommended upgrades and the property still does not meet the minimum standards.
• Third party consent is not obtained e.g. a tenant will not allow upgrades to take place.

Evidence is needed to apply for any Commercial EPC exemption. More information can be found in the Government's Non Domestic Private Rented Sector guide.

How to Ensure MEES Compliance for Manchester Properties

A high density of older commercial properties are available in Manchester. Many Victorian era buildings, with solid walls and low amounts of insulation that were not designed with energy efficiency in mind. Upgrading these Manchester buildings to comply with MEES regulations, can be a challenge, but it's definitely possible.

We've created a guide tailored to commercial building owners in Manchester to help them improve their Commercial EPC score. Learn how to boost your EPC rating with these actionable tips.

Non-Domestic EPC compliance in Manchester, could mean some significant upgrade costs. To help local businesses with this, funding and support has been made available by both local and central government.

Schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is available to businesses in Manchester. This funding is for the replacement of a fossil fuel heating system with a low carbon system, like a heat pump. Heat pumps are around four times more efficient than a traditional gas boiler.

This kind of upgrade has a positive impact on your Commercial EPC score. There are benefits beyond compliance when your Manchester building has a higher energy rating. The best rated properties attract a higher quality of tenant, usually require less maintenance, can unlock cheaper borrowing and increase the value of your investment.

The Process of MEES Compliance in Manchester

We've worked with many businesses in Manchester to help them reach MEES compliance. Frequently for the current minimum standard of an E or the forecasted minimum of a Band C.

1. The process begins with a gap analysis. A thorough assessment of your building is carried out to generate a model in the same software that is used to create a Commercial EPC Certificate, SBEM. These SBEM Reports highlight the areas where the building needs to improve.
2. Once you have a full understanding of your benchmark, SBEM can be used to run models with different upgrades. This enables budget to be spent on the areas with the most impact.
3. After the upgrades have taken place, the new, MEES complying, Commercial EPC can be produced.

Legally, an EPC only needs to be renewed every 10 years. However, consider that EPC calculation methodology changes frequently. What was once a Band C or Band E, may under current EPC assessment methods be a Band D or a Band F. If your investment rests on achieving the commercial minimum standard regulations, it is important that you understand your buildings benchmark under the current rules.

Meeting MEES compliance for your Manchester commercial property is about more than avoiding fines—it’s about safeguarding and enhancing your investment. With the minimum EPC rating set to rise to Band C by 2028, acting now ensures you stay ahead, attract quality tenants, and unlock cheaper borrowing.

Take control of your buildings compliance today. Call on 01925 699 321 and let us guide you through the process to secure your property’s future.

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